Hospitals introduce strict measures to curb coronavirus risks

HOSPITALS have put urgent measures in place regarding non-essential services and visiting hours to limit the risk of spreading the coronavirus.

Life Hospitals have closed all coffee and curio shops since the lockdown.

Doctors, patients and employees will be screened before entering any of their facilities.

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Visiting hours, and the number of visitors, have been restricted to reduce the number of people accessing Life Healthcare facilities.

The level of these restrictions is further increased with effect from today (Friday) 27 as follows:

* Visiting hours for general, ICU and high care wards will be suspended.

* Only one parent at a time will be allowed to visit newborns at the nursery and NICU units.

* Only one parent at a time will be allowed to sleep in with an admitted paediatric patient.

* Visitors will be allowed to visit critically ill patients only with the consent of the hospital manager.

Meanwhile, Netcare took action this week to suspend visiting hours, except in specific special circumstances.

CEO Dr Richard Friedland said the group needed to take extraordinary measures.

‘In light of the severity of the Covid-19 pandemic, we needed to take extraordinary measures to protect all healthcare teams and our patients who cannot be discharged.’

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